Madhesh cabinet yet to get full shape

KATHMANDU: The cabinet of the Madhesh Province Assembly has yet to get full shape, even though it has been nearly a month since the formation of a new government under Chief Minister Krishna Yadav.

Yadav, who was appointed chief minister on December 5 with the support of six parties, secured a vote of confidence from the Madhesh Province Assembly on December 19. However, Yadav has failed to expand his cabinet even after 10 days of securing a vote of confidence.

Chief Minister Yadav appointed Rani Sharma Tiwari of the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) Nepal as Minister for Education and Culture and Jawaharlal Kushbaha of the CPN (Maoist Center) as the Minister for Energy, Irrigation, and Water Supply on December 15. Right after his appointment, Yadav inducted Mahesh Yadav from the Janamat Party, Jangilal Ray from the NC, and Kanish Patel from the CPN (Unified Socialist) into his cabinet.

Out of 11 ministries under the provincial government, six are still vacant. Analysts say administrative decision-making, policy implementation, and service delivery have begun to suffer as several ministries are still under the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Yadav is leading a coalition government of six parties – Nepali Congress, Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal, Janamat Party, CPN (Maoist Center), Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) Nepal, and CPN (Unified Socialist).

Yadav received overwhelming support in his motion of vote of confidence. However, his government risks falling short of public expectations if it does not get into full shape immediately, say analysts.

Nepali Congress Chief Whip Kumar Kant Jha said it would take a few more days to give full shape to the cabinet. He attributed the delay to internal consultations within parties, the selection of ministers, and procedural requirements. “Although the government expansion may appear slow, necessary discussions are ongoing within the parties. The cabinet will get a full shape within a few days,” Jha said.

(With inputs from RSS)